Partner, State and Local Tax, Grant Thornton LLP
Pat McCown has combined hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit in an accounting career that spans more than 20 years and includes a major merger and two partner positions. He is credited with creating and introducing new ideas into the accounting profession, generating dramatic increases in revenue and developing constructive client relationships. Pat earned a degree in accounting from the Jindal School and says his coursework helped him develop his work ethic and commitment to excellence.
Tell us the highlights of your professional career.
I have been fortunate in my career and have worked in both public accounting and industry. I spent the first six years of my career working in industry — three years with Texwood Industries and then three years with SBC Corporation. Then in 1997, I joined Coopers & Lybrand, and one year later, the company merged with Price Waterhouse and became PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In 2005, I accepted a position with Symphony Services, a software services and consulting firm. I served as the senior director for audit and optimization. I enjoyed this role, but a year later I returned to public accounting. I joined Lane Gorman Trubitt as a principal and two years later was named partner. In 2012, I had the unique opportunity to join Grant Thornton as partner and leader in the Dallas office for state and local tax practice. My proudest achievements from a career perspective are passing the CPA exam in 1994, becoming a manager at PwC after my first year with the firm and my direct admission to the partnership at Grant Thornton in 2012.
What brought you to UT Dallas?
I decided to attend UT Dallas because of the convenient location, world-class instruction and flexible course schedule. I had to support myself after high school, and UT Dallas allowed me the flexibility I needed to maintain my studies and a job. I am a Dallas native and am very proud to see how the University and the Jindal School have grown and further developed into the world-class institutions they are today.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
My favorite UT Dallas memory is passing Calculus II. This is a favorite memory mainly because Calculus II was a very difficult class for me. The professor knew I was doing my best but still struggling to pass. When I received my final grade, I was relieved to find out that I had passed and would not have to think about calculus again.
Who was your favorite professor and/or what was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was an elective, Entrepreneurs in America. I guess I have always been enamored with the entrepreneurial spirit, and during the course we had six presentations by different business leaders who had started their own successful companies. The concept was to identify the common characteristics of each so that we could compare the traits they each had in common. It was really fascinating, and I can still remember each of the presentations today.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, hunting, playing golf and traveling. I also enjoy all spectator sports.
What advice do you have for current students hoping to succeed in the business world?
Maybe it is the sports fan in me, but I always remind people that you don’t win the game by staring at the scoreboard. In other words, if you stay focused on the work, the task and the next step, the “score” will take care of itself. The score can then translate into good grades, a raise or promotion, and more.
What makes an effective leader?
I would say the following traits are consistent among the best leaders:
- firm yet compassionate
- optimistic but not naïve
- strong value system and not consumed with self-interest
- grounded in faith and thereby not prone to panic or overreaction
